Saskatchewan dates for national inquiry

Andréa Ledding | July 14, 2017

The National
Inquiry on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirited Peoples
(MMIWG2S) has announced the dates for remaining gatherings for 2017. On the
week of October 23rd, they will be in Saskatoon.

“This will be our
first official stop in Saskatchewan, but we will be back in 2018,” stated
Bernée Boulton, Communications Director, in a phone call regarding concerns
that other parts of SK would also be consulted.

Other locations
from September to December 2017 include Halifax, Edmonton, Yellowknife,
Smithers, Rankin Inlet, Winnipeg, beginning with Thunder Bay on September 10th.

“In Whitehorse,
the courage and dignity of the families and survivors who chose to share their
story with us was powerful,” noted Chief Commissioner Marion Buller, adding
they were both honoured and appreciative of those who have come forward. “We
are very grateful for the guidance we’ve received to date at the National
Inquiry.”

Community visits
will take place from July 17 until September 5 for health teams, community
relations, logistics, and legal counsel to lay groundwork for upcoming
hearings. Family members, survivors, local organizations and groups will be
consulted and met with, while staff seek advice and guidance from Elders and
knowledge keepers to respect and include local protocols and ceremonies.

In the summer and
fall, two expert panel hearings have also been scheduled: Indigenous Law and
Decolonization in Winnipeg this summer, and Human Rights in Montreal in autumn.

Saskatoon staff
can be contacted at their office in downtown Saskatoon. Special Assistant Gina
Zeegers, aka Jorgina Sunn, can be reached at g.zeegers@mmiwg-ffada.ca.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba Community Liaison, Morene Gabriel, can be reached at
204-890-8239 or m.gabriel@mmiwg-ffada.ca.

Prior to the
hearings, the National Inquiry is inviting family members, loved ones, and
survivors to reach out and identify themselves. The toll-free line is
1-844-348-4119.

If you email Profile@mmiwg-ffada.ca
with your name, contact information, and location, a member of the team will
contact you. You can also fax 604-775-5009 or send a letter to PO Box 500,
Station A, Vancouver, BC V6C 2N3.

There is also a national toll-free 24/7 crisis
line available to support anyone at 1-844-413-6649.